Kelly Sue DeConnick and Valentine De Landro’s first issue of “Bitch Planet” was released December 10, 2014 by Image Comics.

With a title like that, how could I resist picking up the first issue of Bitch Planet by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Valentine De Landro? If you are looking for a sexy, women-in-prison comic with lots of pin-up quality nudity, then this isn’t for you.

The basic set-up for Bitch Planet is that it’s the future and women are treated like chattel. When a woman is non-compliant, she gets sent to a prison planet. Issue One introduces three women. Penny Rolle, is a big woman. Honestly, you have no idea what I mean. Rolle is a woman who complains that her prison uniform is only big enough for one of her tits. Next, we have Kamau Kogo, who remains something of a mystery in the comic. Finally, Marian Collins, who is in prison because she objected to her husband having an affair.

They are in prison. The prison may not be what it seems. And there’s a plot twist that doesn’t allow me to comment much more on the plot. As a matter of fact, I had to go back and re-read Bitch Planet because the twist caught me by surprise.

Bitch Planet #1. Image Comics.

This is a feminist comic from top to bottom. DeConnick writes a compelling tale, showing a future where women are punished for non-compliance. However, and this is only based on the first issue, are there any men of character in this universe? Future issues will tell. But the comic does seem to believe men are incapable of anything good. But there is a lot of clever dialogue and the premise is great. De Landro’s art exists to tell the story. It is raw and, at times, able to make the reader feel uncomfortable about the material.

When discussions of this comic pop up online, I keep hearing Quentin Tarantino’s name mentioned. While this comic has some of the vibe of a women-in-prison movie, the comparison to Tarantino is unfair. DeConnick’s dialogue is great, but it is there to drive the story. The two writers may share some similar influences, but that’s where the comparisons end.

I love the pulp-inspired cover!

Image Comics has impressed my greatly lately. Another title they recently introduced, The Autumnlands: Tooth & Claw, is a fantastic fantasy story. And for the same price as a Marvel or DC Comics, readers get 32 pages, no advertising, unless you count the “Hey Kids, Patriarchy!” spoof on the back of Bitch Planet.

For those reading this that still cling to the outdated, and wrong, notion that comics are for kids. Give Bitch Planet a try. I may have some issues its view of men, but it was compelling and I plan to check out issue two when it arrives.